Literature club ....... for the young ladies

It is all about the food, activities, and sharing of stories for these girls......an afternoon to look forward to each month when these friends share treats, talk about the month's book, learn something new, and chat.....and giggle.....and chat some more.

A few years ago when we started this literature club the moms dreamed of girls who would grow up together in friendship - learning to listen, share, and love one another in community.....through good times and hard. It is rewarding to watch them laugh and talk - encourage and embrace one another.

We have welcomed fresh faces this year and for this we give thanks! And yet it is bittersweet as other girls have moved on to other endeavors or we miss dear friends now moved away from us - their place in the group forever empty......but yet - this is real life too, isn't it? Sometimes we think things will stay the same always - but it doesn't. The girls learn to open their hearts to new friends - to love like Christ calls them to. Some of these buddies are even starting to volunteer together for the cause of Christ. This what we yearned for - these mothers......

When we host club...... Madison now plans most of it. It is wonderful to work alongside her......she is amazing. It blesses me to see Madison include her younger sister in the festivities which Allie loves. The book she chose this year was "All of a Kind Family" which is about a Jewish family at the turn of the century (1900's). She especially wanted to emphasize and teach the girls about Purim - one of the Jewish celebrations.....and so we did!

Lunch was rice soup, raw vegetables, and fresh bread.....

Every time I walked in the dining room several girls would hold their bowls up for more!

Simple dessert.....

The girls compare their story charts before discussion....

Tradition says that while reading the story of Esther for Purim when Haman's name is mentioned, the children are to boo, hiss, and make noise. I think this was their favorite part!

Part of the fun of Purim is dressing up.....this is Allie and Rachel....

Madison found a unique way to make flowers out of fabric and so shared the craft with the girls

Another Purim tradition is filling baskets with goodies for the children and neighbors....

The girls' baskets....

That's a wrap on our turn hosting "Girl's and Books" for 2012! A fun time was had by all!